Nixon Warns Of Fall Wildfire Risk In Missouri

Mo. Gov. Jay Nixon says the risk of wildfires in the region will carry into the fall.

Missouri Dept. of Public Safety

Missouri’s drought conditions have increased the threat of wildfires across the state.

Governor Jay Nixon presided over a drought briefing at the Missouri State Fair for emergency management and public safety workers.

Nixon says the wildfire risk will stretch into fall, as drought conditions are now expected to last through November.

“When the leaves get brown, they’re easier to burn than when they’re green, and consequently I think the fire challenges we’re going to face in the fall stand a chance to be more significant even than they’ve been this summer,” says Nixon.

Nixon also announced that more than 4,900 water project applications from farmers have been approved, as part of an emergency program announced last month.

The governor also says they’re continuing to monitor river levels on the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers.